Combination dock shelter and dock seal with replaceable seal members

ABSTRACT

A combined dock seal and shelter structure for a truck loading dock includes a vehicle-engaging seal member that is removably or replaceably attached to a compressible side pad. A backer can be used to help mount the side pad to a wall, adjacent to a doorway. The side pad preferably comprises a resiliently compressible foam core within a pliable cover  4 , while the seal member comprises a pliable curtain or semi-rigid panel that are flexible but less compressible than the foam core.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a combined dock sealand shelter for sheltering the rear of a truck or other vehicle at aloading dock, and more particularly relates to the structure thatconnects a seal member to a compressible side pad.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Trucks having open rear cargo bays are typically backed intoalignment with a loading dock or other doorway of a building tofacilitate loading and unloading of the vehicle. A significant gap isusually created between the rear of the truck and the face of thebuilding, which exposes the interiors of the building and the truck tothe outside environment during loading and unloading. Such gaps can beat least partially sealed by installing either a loading dock shelter ora loading dock seal around the perimeter of the doorway.

[0005] Conventional loading dock seals comprise resilient, compressiblepads that are attached to the building along the lateral and top edgesof the doorway. The pads usually include a foam core, which is coveredwith a coated fabric, vinyl or other similar covering for protection andappearance. The pad compliantly conforms to the rear contour of thetruck as the truck presses up against the pad, which helps seal the gapbetween the face of the building and the rear of the truck. Althoughdock seals provide excellent sealing, they are often subject tosignificant compressive forces that can shorten the life of the seal.Dock shelters, on the other hand, use a different method of sealing thatusually does not involve such high compressive forces.

[0006] Dock shelters typically have rigid side members, rather thancompressible pads, installed along the sides of the doorway. The sidemembers usually protrude one to three feet from the outside face of thebuilding. To avoid being struck and damaged by a truck backing into thedock, side members are spaced farther away from the doorway than are thecompressible pads of dock seals. Seal members, such as flexible panelsor pliable curtains, are usually attached to the protruding face of theside members. The seal members (sometimes referred to as “sidecurtains”) lie generally parallel to the face of the building, and inneredges of the side members extend into the anticipated path of a truckbacking into the dock. As a truck backs into the dock, the inner edgesof seal members sweep across the side of the truck to provide sealingbetween the building and the rear side portion of the truck.

[0007] Even though the rigid side members of dock shelters are spacedfarther apart than the compressible pads of dock seals, the rigid sidemembers are still subject to impact damage from trucks. Attempts toprovide dock shelters with hinged or collapsible frames have not beenentirely satisfactory, because such frames are still subject to damage,are relatively difficult to maintain and increase manufacturing costs.Metal bumpers can be added to protect the side members, but such bumperscan be expensive and cumbersome to install. Since many loading dockshave inclined driveway grades, many loading dock shelters must becustom-built to accommodate such grades and to maintain the properperpendicular orientation between the truck walls and the seal members,which also increases their manufacturing costs.

[0008] To achieve the benefits of both dock seals and dock shelterswhile avoiding their disadvantages, combined dock shelters and sealshave been developed, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,953,868 and6,311,435. Combined systems are somewhat of a hybrid in that they have adock shelter seal member (i.e., a side curtain) attached to a dock sealcompressible pad. For sealing, the side curtain brushes against the rearside of the truck or engages the truck's rear edge. The compressible padprovides impact tolerance when necessary.

[0009] Although combined shelter/seal systems can be an excellentproduct, it can be challenging to attach a seal member or side curtainto a support member that is not only compressible but is also coveredwith a pliable fabric, which is the case with typical side pads. Forside pads without any solid base or substance for supporting a commonfastener, seals can be permanently attached to the pad's pliable coverby sewing or gluing. However, such permanent means of attachment make itvery difficult to replace a worn seal member without having to replacethe entire shelter/seal system, so seal members are preferably designedto be removable. Moreover, the ability to easily remove the seal memberwhen favorable weather conditions make its use unnecessary makes aremovable connection desirable.

[0010] Currently, touch-and-hold fasteners, such as Velcro, are perhapsthe best way of removably attaching a seal member to a compressible sidepad. Unfortunately, Velcro fasteners can be expensive, as they need tobe several feet long if they are to extend the full length of a typicalside pad. And each side pad may require several Velcro strips of suchlength. Moreover, each strip has a mating half, and all the strips needto be sewn, bonded or otherwise attached to its respective side pad orseal member. Adhesive-backed Velcro strips bond to some materials betterthan others, which limits the choice of materials for the seal memberand the pad's covering. The '868 patent mentions that known devices suchas snap fasteners and zippers may be possible means for attachment, butthe patent fails to illustrate, explain, or even suggest just how suchdevices can be applied. Current proven methods of attaching a pliable orflexible seal member to a compressible side pad appear to be primarilylimited to sewing, gluing, and touch-and-hold fastening. Consequently,there appears to be a need for additional ways of replaceably attachinga seal member to a compressible pad.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In some embodiments, a compressible side pad includes an anchorblock that allows a seal member to be removably attached to the pad.

[0012] In some embodiments, a compressible side pad includes a pluralityof anchor blocks that are distributed vertically along a pad.

[0013] In some embodiments, a magnet removably connects a seal member toa side pad.

[0014] In some embodiments, a relatively short strip of spring materialremovably connects a seal member to a side pad.

[0015] In some embodiments, a pliable elongate member is pressed into agroove to removably connect a seal member to a side pad.

[0016] In some embodiments, mating extruded members provide a slidingconnection that removably connects a seal member to a side pad.

[0017] In some embodiments, vertically spaced buttons removably connecta seal member to a side pad.

[0018] In some embodiments, vertically spaced straps, buckles, and/orhooks removably connect a seal member to a side pad.

[0019] In some embodiments, vertically spaced anchors extend entirelythrough a side pad to removably connect a seal member to the pad.

[0020] In some embodiments, vertical pins couple vertically offset loopsto removably connect a seal member to a side pad.

[0021] In some embodiments, a side pad and/or seal member includespockets or slits for removably connecting the seal member to the sidepad.

[0022] In some embodiments, the pockets or slits are vertically spacedapart from each other.

[0023] In some embodiments, the pocket or slit extends substantially thefull height of the side pad.

[0024] In some embodiments, a seal member includes a plurality of staysor curtain stiffeners that extend into a corresponding plurality ofslits or pockets for removably connecting the seal member to the sidepad.

[0025] In some embodiments, a zipper extends substantially the fulllength of a side pad to removably connect a seal member to the pad.

[0026] In some embodiments, a top flap extending from a seal member andoverlaying a side pad helps support the weight of the seal member.

[0027] In some embodiments, a strap or other type of pliable elongatemember constricts around a side pad to removably connect a seal memberto the pad.

[0028] In some embodiments, an anchor protrudes into a side pad to gripan interior surface of the pad for removably connecting a seal member tothe pad.

[0029] In some embodiments, a side pad includes a flap to which a sealmember is removably attached.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle backing into a loadingdock that has a combination dock seal and shelter structure, where avehicle-engaging seal member is removably or replaceably attached to acompressible side pad.

[0031]FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, but showing thevehicle engaging the seal member.

[0032]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.Cross-hatching of this figure and others has been omitted; as suchcross-hatching tends to hide details of relatively thin members.

[0033]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

[0034]FIG. 5 is a top view of a combination dock seal and shelterstructure that could be used in the loading dock of FIG. 1.

[0035]FIG. 6 is a top view of another combination dock seal and shelterstructure that could be used in the loading dock of FIG. 1.

[0036]FIG. 7 is a top view of another combination dock seal and shelterstructure that could be used in the loading dock of FIG. 1.

[0037]FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view of seal member attached toa side pad.

[0038]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 10.

[0039]FIG. 10 is a cutaway front view of one embodiment of a seal memberattached to a side pad.

[0040]FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.12.

[0041]FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 10, but of another embodiment.

[0042]FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 9, but of another embodiment.

[0043]FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 9, but of another embodiment.

[0044]FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, but showing a vehicle engaging theseal member.

[0045]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional top view of another seal member aboutto be attached to a side pad.

[0046]FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16, but showing the seal memberattached to the side pad.

[0047]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional top view of another seal member aboutto be attached to a side pad.

[0048]FIG. 19 is similar to FIG. 18, but showing the seal memberattached to the side pad.

[0049]FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of FIG.21.

[0050]FIG. 21 is a cutaway front view of another embodiment of a sealmember attached to a side pad.

[0051]FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22-22 of FIG.23.

[0052]FIG. 23 is a cutaway front view of another embodiment of a sealmember attached to a side pad.

[0053]FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 of FIG.25.

[0054]FIG. 25 is a cutaway front view of another embodiment of a sealmember attached to a side pad, wherein two flexible elongate members areshown being installed.

[0055]FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional top view of another seal member aboutto be attached to a side pad.

[0056]FIG. 27 is similar to FIG. 26, but showing the seal memberattached to the side pad.

[0057]FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional top view of another seal member aboutto be attached to a side pad.

[0058]FIG. 29 is similar to FIG. 28, but showing the seal memberattached to the side pad.

[0059]FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 30-30 of FIG.31.

[0060]FIG. 31 is a cutaway front view of another embodiment of a sealmember attached to a side pad.

[0061]FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 32-32 of FIG.33.

[0062]FIG. 33 is a side view of another embodiment of a seal memberattached to a side pad.

[0063]FIG. 34 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 34-34 of FIG.35.

[0064]FIG. 35 is a side view of another embodiment of a seal memberattached to a side pad.

[0065]FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 36-36 of FIG.37.

[0066]FIG. 37 is a side view of another embodiment of a seal memberattached to a side pad.

[0067]FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 38-38 of FIG.39.

[0068]FIG. 39 is a side view of another embodiment of a seal memberattached to a side pad.

[0069]FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 40-40 of FIG.41.

[0070]FIG. 41 is a side view of another embodiment of a seal memberattached to a side pad.

[0071]FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional similar to FIG. 43, but showing theseal member in the process of being installed.

[0072]FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 43-43 of FIG.44.

[0073]FIG. 44 is a side view of another embodiment of a seal memberattached to a side pad.

[0074]FIG. 45 is a perspective view of another seal member attached to aside pad.

[0075]FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a seal member being inserted intoa slit or pocket of a side member.

[0076]FIG. 47 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 46, but showing theseal member attached to the side pad.

[0077]FIG. 48 is a perspective view showing a seal member in the processof being attached to a side pad.

[0078]FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional top view of a seal member about to beattached to a side pad.

[0079]FIG. 50 is similar to FIG. 49, but showing the seal memberattached to the side pad.

[0080]FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional top view of another seal member aboutto be attached to a side pad.

[0081]FIG. 52 is similar to FIG. 51, but showing the seal memberattached to the side pad.

[0082]FIG. 53 is a perspective view showing another seal member in theprocess of being attached to another side pad.

[0083]FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 54-54 of FIG.55.

[0084]FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the seal member and side pad ofFIG. 53, but showing the seal member attached to the side pad.

[0085]FIG. 56 is a cutaway perspective view similar to FIG. 53, but ofanother embodiment.

[0086]FIG. 57 is a perspective view of another seal member attached to aside pad.

[0087]FIG. 58 is a perspective view showing a seal member about to beattached to a side pad.

[0088]FIG. 59 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 58, but showing theseal member attached to the side pad.

[0089]FIG. 60 is a perspective view of another seal member attached to aside pad.

[0090]FIG. 61 is a perspective view of another seal member attached to aside pad.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0091] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a loading dock 10 with a combined dock sealand shelter structure 12 that is attached to a wall 14 having a doorway16. A vehicle 18, such as a truck, is shown backing into structure 12,which helps seal out weather as shipping materials are transferredbetween vehicle 18 and a building 20. In this example, dock 10 includesa conventional dock leveler 22 that provides an adjustable height bridgeor path between an elevated floor 24 in building 20 and a truck bed 26of vehicle 18. Dock 10 may also include bumpers 28 for absorbing vehicleimpacts and providing dock leveler 22 with sufficient clearance tooperate. FIGS. 1 and 3 show vehicle 18 approaching structure 12. AndFIGS. 2 and 4 show vehicle 18 having already backed into structure 12with the rear of vehicle 18 adjacent to doorway 16, whereby vehicle 18can be to be loaded or unloaded.

[0092] To seal along the upper and side edges of the rear portion ofvehicle 18, structure 12 includes a header 30 and two side members 32and 34. Header 30 can be any structure that helps seal or shelter theupper rear portion of vehicle 18. Examples of header 30 include, but arenot limited to, a compressible foam pad, pliable curtain, semi-rigidpanel, roller, rigid frame, and various combinations thereof. A sealingedge 36 of header 30 may lie in front of or behind side members 32 and34. Side members 32 and 34 are right-hand and left-hand versions of eachother, so any description of one can apply to the other. For simplicity,various side member embodiments will be described and illustrated withreference to a left-hand side member, such as side member 32.

[0093] Side member 32 basically comprises a seal member 38 that isremovably or replaceably attached to a side pad 40. The term,“removably” refers to being able to repeatedly connect and separate anassembly without having to discard, exchange, or permanently alter anyparts of the assembly. The term, “replaceably” refers to being able torepeatedly connect and separate two components of an assembly, withouthaving to discard, exchange, or permanently alter either of the twocomponents; however, some connecting parts of the assembly may bediscarded or exchanged. Side pad 32 is compressible to avoid beingdamaged by the impact of vehicle 18 and/or to provide seal member 38with more compliance for responding to vehicle 18 backing into sealmember 38. In some embodiments, side pad 40 includes a resilientlycompressible foam core 42 (e.g., polyurethane foam) protected by apliable cover 44. Cover 44 can be made of various materials or fabricsincluding, but are not limited to, HYPALON (a product of DuPont, ofWilmington, Del.), vinyl, neoprene, coated woven fabrics, etc.Conventional fasteners 46, such as nails, screws, adhesive, stitches,staples, etc. can fasten cover 44 to a backer 48, which in turnfacilitates the mounting of side pad 40 to wall 14. Backer 48 can simplybe the back surface of pad 40 (i.e., the surface facing wall 14) or canbe an actual structural member made of lumber, metal, extruded plastic,or any other material suitable for mounting to wall 14. Side pad 40 alsoincludes a front face 50 that faces away from backer 48, an outer sidesurface 52 that faces away from opening 16 and extends between backer 48and front face 50, and an inner side surface 54 that faces away fromouter side surface 52 and extends between backer 48 and front face 50.

[0094] Seal member 38 is schematically illustrated to represent anymember that can move in response to sealing engagement with vehicle 18.Seal member 38 can be a pliable curtain, resiliently flexible sheet ofmaterial, semi-rigid panel, or even a rigid panel with a movableattachment to a side member. Seal member 38 is preferably flexible andless compressible than foam core 42. Examples of seal member materialsinclude, but are not limited to, polyolefin (polyethylene,polypropylene, etc.), HYPALON, coated woven fabrics, vinyl, etc.

[0095] The actual shape of seal member 38 can vary widely. In additionto the seal shape shown in FIG. 3, a few other shapes are illustrated inFIGS. 5, 6 and 7. In FIG. 5, the seal member has a sealing edge 56 thatcurves inward to avoid catching the side of a vehicle as the vehicledeparts the loading dock. In FIG. 6, a sealing edge 58 curves inward toengage the rear edge of a truck as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,868.In FIG. 7, a sealing edge 60 is created by wrapping a fabric curtain 62about a cylindrical foam bead 64 that provides curtain 62 with somerigidity along edge 60.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 8, a seal member 66 can also be provided withadditional rigidity by attaching a series of resilient stays 68 to sealmember 66. Stays 68 can be strips made of spring steel, fiberglass, orany other appropriately resilient material. Stays 68 can be attached toseal member 66 in various ways, including but not limited to, sewing,gluing, riveting, screwing, stapling, and/or inserting the stays inpockets or loops that may be attached to seal member 66.

[0097] In FIGS. 3-7, an attaching structure 70 is schematicallyillustrated to represent any structure that replaceably attaches a sealmember to a side pad. Specific examples of attaching structure 70 areillustrated in FIGS. 9-60.

[0098] In FIGS. 9 and 10, a combined dock seal and shelter structure 72includes a seal member 74 replaceably attached to a side pad 76. Sidepad 76 comprises a compressible foam core 78 within a pliable cover 80.At least one anchor base 82 is glued, sewn or otherwise attachedadjacent to a front face 84 of side pad 76. In this example, anchor base82 is installed outside of cover 80. Anchor base 82 allows an anchor 86(e.g., a conventional fastener such as a screw, rivet, nail, staple,adhesive tape, etc.) to fasten seal member 74 to anchor base 82, andthus fasten seal member 74 to side pad 76. To provide holding strength,anchor base 82 is preferably more rigid than cover 80 and lesscompressible than foam core 78, and in some cases more rigid than sealmember 74 and thicker than cover 80. Anchor base 82 can be made ofvarious materials including, but not limited to, metal and plastic. Whenmore than one anchor base 82 is used to provide a series of anchor basesegments, the segments can be vertically spaced apart to accommodatedifferences in thermal expansion between the anchor bases and the restof structure 72.

[0099]FIGS. 11 and 12 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure72′ that is similar to structure 72; however, one full length anchorbase 82′ is used instead of multiple segments of anchor base 82.

[0100]FIG. 13 shows a combined dock seal and shelter structure 88 thatis similar to structure 72 with a side pad 90, a seal member 92, ananchor base 94, a cover 96 and a foam core 98 being nearly identical tocorresponding components of structure 72. Anchor base 94, however, isinstalled in between cover 96 and foam core 98 as a way of attachingbase 94 to pad 90.

[0101]FIGS. 14 and 15 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure100 that vehicle 18 can deflect from a normal, disengaged position (FIG.14) to a vehicle-engaged position (FIG. 15). Structure 100 is similar tostructure 88; however, a side pad 102 includes an anchor base 104comprising a plurality of segments 106 that are pivotallyinterconnected. A pivotal connection 108 between adjacent segments 106allows anchor base 104 to curve with a front face 110 of pad 102 asvehicle 18 deforms the pad. In some embodiments, segments 106 areextrusions with mating vertical edges that pivotally interlock withadjacent segments 106. Anchor base 104 can be installed underneath acover 112 and directly against a foam core 114 as shown, or can beinstalled in between cover 112 and seal member 114.

[0102] In FIGS. 16 and 17, a combined dock seal and shelter structure524 includes a seal member 526 replaceably attached to a side pad 528.Side pad 528 preferably comprises a compressible foam core 530 within apliable cover 532. In addition to protecting core 530, cover 532provides a flap 534 that can selectively overlay a front face 536 of pad528. Flap 534 has a pivotal edge 538 and a distal edge 540 such thatpivotal edge 538 enables distal edge 540 to be selectively swung towardand away from front face 536. Swinging flap 534 away from front face 536provides access to both sides of flap 534, thereby enabling seal member526 to be readily attached to flap 534 by way of a conventional fastener542. Fastener 542 is schematically illustrated to represent any type offastener that can attach seal member 526 to flap 534. Examples offastener 542 include, but are not limited to, a threaded screw and nut,rivet, snap, button, touch-and-hold fastener, etc. Once seal member 526is attached to flap 534, a second fastener 544 can engage distal edge540 to hold flap 534 up against front face 536. Fastener 544 representsany type of fastener that hold seal member 526 adjacent to front face536. Examples of fastener 544 include, but are not limited to, a strap,chain, rope, nylon cable tie, wire, cable, elastic cord, buckle, snap,button, touch-and-hold fastener, hook, zipper, laces, etc.

[0103]FIGS. 18 and 19 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure546 that is similar to structure 524; however, a pivotal edge 548 isadjacent to an outer side surface 550 rather than adjacent to an innerside surface 552.

[0104] Structures 524 and 546 may offer different advantages. Structure546 may provide greater holding strength near an outer edge 552 of sealmember 526. However, structure 524 may provide seal member 526 with morefreedom to move in response being engaged by vehicle 18. This isparticularly true if fastener 544 of structure 524 is an elastic cordthat stretches to permit outer edge 540 to swing partially away fromfront face 536 in response to vehicle 18 pushing against an inner edge554 of seal member 526.

[0105]FIGS. 20 and 21 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure116 where an anchor 118 is magnetically attracted to an anchor base 120for removably attaching a seal member 122 to a side pad 124. Side pad124 preferably includes a foam core 126 within a pliable cover 128attached to a backer 130. Anchor base 120 can be attached to side pad124 and anchor 118 can be attached to seal member 122. Either anchor 118or base 120 is magnetic while the other is a ferrous metal attracted toit or they could both be magnets of opposite polarity. The actual sizesand shapes of anchor 118 and anchor base 120 may vary from what is shownin the drawings.

[0106]FIGS. 22 and 23 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure132 that includes a seal member 134 removably attached to a side pad 136by virtue of one or more anchors 138 having sufficient resilientflexibility to releasably engage an anchor base 140. Various devices canaccomplish this; however, in some embodiments, anchor base 140 can be anextruded channel attached to side pad 136, and anchor 138 can be a stripof spring steel attached to seal member 134. To releasably couple sealmember 134 to side pad 136, anchor 138 can be forcibly bowed to slipopposite ends of the anchor underneath inwardly pointing flanges 142 ofchannel 144. The opposite can be done to separate seal member 134 frompad 136. Side pad 136 preferably includes a foam core 146 within apliable cover 148 attached to a backer 150.

[0107]FIGS. 24 and 25 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure152 where an anchor 152 can be pressed into engagement with an anchorbase 154 that is attached to a side pad 156. Side pad 156 preferablyincludes a foam core 158 within a pliable cover 160 attached to a backer162. The actual designs of anchor 152 and anchor base 154 may vary;however, in some embodiments anchor 152 is a flexible elongate memberthat can be pressed into a groove 162 of anchor base 154. Anchor 152removably attaches a seal member 164 to side pad 156 by holding aportion of seal member 164 pinched between anchor 152 and groove 162 ina manner similar to the way common window screen material is oftenattached to a window frame. Anchor 152 and anchor base 154 can beextruded members.

[0108]FIGS. 26 and 27 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure472 that is similar to structure 448. A connector 474 releasablyconnects a seal member 476 to a side pad 478. Side pad 478 preferablyincludes a foam core 480 within a pliable cover 482 attached to a backer484. In this embodiment, connector 474 protrudes through seal member476, and a barb 486 helps hold connector 474 in a crevice 488 in sidepad 478. More than one connector 474 can be used to connect seal member476 to pad 478. Connector 474 engaging a crevice in a front face 490, anouter side surface 492, or an inner side surface 494 are all well withinthe scope of invention.

[0109]FIGS. 28 and 29 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure496 that is similar to structure 472; however, a seal member 498includes a flange 500 that allows connector 474 to be inserted into acrevice 502 in an outer side surface 504 of a side pad 506.

[0110]FIGS. 30 and 31 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure166 where an interlocking sliding connection exists between an anchor168 and an anchor base 170, wherein anchor 168 is attached to a sealmember 172 and anchor base 170 is attached to a side pad 174. Side pad174 preferably includes a foam core 176 within a pliable cover 178attached to a backer 180. The actual way of attaching anchor 168 to sealmember 172 and the way of attaching anchor base 170 to side pad 174 mayvary; however, in some embodiments flanges 182 and 184 connect anchor168 to seal member 172, and anchor base 170 is bonded to side pad 174.The interlocking sliding connection between anchor 168 and anchor base170 permit their separation, which renders seal member 172 removablyattachable to side pad 174. Anchor 168 and anchor base 170 preferablyhave extrudeable cross-sections (i.e., their cross-sectional shapes aresubstantially uniform along their lengths so they can be extruded),although other shapes are well within the scope of the invention.

[0111]FIGS. 32 and 33 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure186 where a plurality of vertically spaced apart connectors disposedalong an inner side surface 188 and/or an outer side surface 190releasably connect a seal member 192 to a side pad 194. Side pad 194preferably includes a foam core 196 within a pliable cover 198 attachedto a backer 200. The connectors can assume various forms including, butnot limited to, buttons 202 that fit through buttonholes 204. In thisexample, buttons 202 are sewn or otherwise attached to both the innerand outer side surfaces of side pad 194, and buttonholes 204 are inflanges 206 and 208 that extend from seal member 192. Flange 208 extendsfrom an outer edge 210 of seal member 192, and flange 206 is at anintermediate point 212 of seal member 192, wherein point 212 is betweenouter edge 210 and an inner edge 214 that is adapted to engage vehicle18.

[0112]FIGS. 34 and 35 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure216 where a plurality of vertically spaced apart connectors disposedalong an inner side surface 218 and/or an outer side surface 220releasably connect a seal member 222 to a side pad 224. Side pad 224preferably includes a foam core 226 within a pliable cover 228 attachedto a backer 230. In this example, the connectors are snap-in buckles232. The term, “snap-in buckle” refers to a coupling with at least twomating parts, wherein at least one of the mating parts resilientlydeflects upon the engagement or disengagement with the other matingpart. Buckles 232 can be attached to seal member 222 and pad 224 by wayof straps 234 and 236 respectively. Straps 236 can be attached to backer230 as shown, or can be sewn, glued or otherwise attached to cover 228along side surfaces 218 and 220 (i.e., attached to cover 228 at a pointcloser to seal member 222 than to backer 230). It should be noted thatstraps 234 and 236 are just one example of a pliable elongate member,and other types of pliable elongate members are well within the scope ofthe invention. Other examples of pliable elongate members include, butare not limited to, chain, rope, nylon cable tie, wire, cable, elasticcord, etc.

[0113]FIGS. 36 and 37 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure238 that is similar to structure 216, except that a binding buckle 240is used instead of snap-in buckle 232. The term, “binding buckle” refersto a connector through which a strap (or other type of pliable elongatemember) is looped in such a way that increasing tension in the strapincreases the connector's grip on the strap.

[0114]FIGS. 38 and 39 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure242 that is similar to structures 216 and 238, except that a resilientlystretchable elongate member 244 is used instead of a buckle. Tension instretchable member 244 holds a seal member 246 up against a side pad248. The actual way of attaching stretchable member 244 may vary. Insome embodiments, stretchable member 244 includes a hook at each end.One hook 250 can attach to an eyebolt 252 that is screwed into a backer254, and another hook 256 can hook into a hole 258 or grommet in flanges260 and 262 that extend from seal member 246. Instead of hooking intoeyebolt 252, hook 250 could also hook into a hole or grommet in apliable cover 264. To help support the weight of seal member 246, a topflap 251 extending from seal member 246 can overlay an upper surface ofpad 248 and attach to backer 254 or another part of pad 248. Variousfasteners for attaching top flap 251 include, but are not limited to,touch-and-hold fasteners, snaps, buttons, laces, tacks, nails, staples,screws, buckles, hooks, etc.

[0115]FIGS. 40 and 41 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure266 where a plurality of vertically spaced apart connectors 280 extendcompletely through a side pad 268 from an inner side surface 270 to anouter side surface 272. Side pad 268 preferably includes a foam core 274within a pliable cover 276 attached to a backer 278. The connectors canassume various forms including, but not limited to, rods, pins, wire,cable, rope, etc. In some embodiments, connectors 280 are threaded rods282 with a nut 284 at each end.

[0116]FIGS. 42, 43 and 44 show a combined dock seal and shelterstructure 286 where a plurality of vertically spaced apart connectorsdisposed along an inner side surface 288 and an outer side surface 290releasably connect a seal member 292 to a side pad 294. Side pad 294preferably includes a foam core 296 within a pliable cover 298 attachedto a backer 300. The connectors adjacent to outer side surface 290comprise a hook 302 attached to seal member 292 and pivotally engaging ahook-receiving member 304 that is attached to pad 294. The connectorsadjacent to inner side surface 288 are pliable elongate members 306,which extend from seal member 292 and are connectable to backer 300 orsome other portion of side pad 294. Examples of pliable elongate member306 include, but are not limited to, a strap, chain, rope, nylon cabletie, wire, cable, elastic cord, etc. To help support the weight of sealmember 292, a top flap 308 extending from seal member 292 can overlay anupper surface 310 of pad 294. Various fasteners for holding top flap 308to pad 294 include, but are not limited to, touch-and-hold fasteners,snaps, buttons, laces, buckles, hooks, etc.

[0117]FIG. 45 shows a combined dock seal and shelter structure 312 wherea plurality of vertically spaced apart connectors disposed along aninner side surface and/or an outer side surface 314 releasably connect aseal member 316 to a side pad 318. Side pad 318 preferably includes afoam core within a pliable cover 320 attached to a backer 322. In thisexample, each connector comprises a conventional nylon cable tie 324that couples a loop member 326 on side pad 318 to a flange 328 extendingfrom seal member 316.

[0118]FIGS. 46 and 47 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure328 where a seal member 330 is removably attached to a side pad 332 byvirtue of side pad 332 having a vertical slit 334 into which aprotrusion 336 extending horizontally from seal member 330 can beremovably inserted. In this case, slit 334 is the open end of a pocketdisposed across a front face of pad 332, and protrusion 336 is simply anintegral extension of seal member 330. Slit 334 extends vertically overmost of a height 338 of pad 332. Protrusion 336 can be held within slit334 by friction alone or supplemented with various devices including,but not limited to, touch-and-hold fasteners, threaded fasteners, hooks,snaps, buttons, laces, buckles, etc.

[0119] In FIG. 48, a combined dock seal and shelter structure 340includes a seal member 342 replaceably attached to a side pad 342. Sidepad 342 comprises a compressible foam core within a pliable cover 344.Seal member 342 includes a series of flaps or protrusions 346 that canextend downward to be inserted into a corresponding series of slits 348,each of which extend horizontally across a front face of cover 344.Protrusions 346 can be rigid or pliable. A top flap 350, similar to topflap 308 of FIG. 44, can extend over a top surface 352 of pad 342 tohelp support the weight of seal member 342. Protrusions 346 can be heldwithin slits 348 in various ways including, but not limited to,friction, touch-and-hold fasteners, threaded fasteners, hooks, snaps,buttons, laces, buckles, etc.

[0120]FIGS. 49 and 50 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure448 where a releasable connector 450 on a seal member 452 protrudes intoand releasably engages a crevice 454 in a side pad 456. Side pad 456preferably includes a foam core 458 within a pliable cover 460 attachedto a backer 462. Connector 450 can be connected to seal member 452 invarious ways including, but not limited to, gluing, sewing, andfastening with conventional fasteners. Connector 450 can releasably gripan interior surface 464 of crevice 450 in various ways, including butnot limited to friction, touch-and-hold fasteners, barbs, etc. More thanone connector 450 can be used to connect seal member 452 to pad 456.Connector 450 engaging a crevice in a front face 466, an outer sidesurface 468, or an inner side surface 470 are all well within the scopeof invention.

[0121]FIGS. 51 and 52 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure508 where a releasable connector 510 integrally extending from a sealmember 512 protrudes into and releasably engages a crevice 514 in a sidepad 516. Side pad 516 preferably includes a foam core 518 within apliable cover 520 attached to a backer 522. Connector 510 can releasablygrip an interior surface of crevice 514 in various ways, including butnot limited to friction, touch-and-hold fasteners, barbs, etc.

[0122] FIGS. 53-55 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure 354where a seal member 356 is removably attached to a side pad 358 by a setof stays 360, which also provide seal member 356 with some rigidity.Side pad 358 preferably includes a foam core 376 within a pliable cover362 attached to a backer 374. Stays 360 have protrusions 364 (i.e., thelonger leg of each L-shaped stay) that couple a series of loops 366 on afront face 368 of pad 358 to a corresponding series of pockets or loops370 on seal member 356. The open ends of loops 366 and 370 can bereferred to as slits. A shorter retaining leg 372 at one end of eachstay 360 can be tucked into a pocket or flap 378 along an outer edge 380of seal member 356. Flap 378 can be pulled over retaining leg 372 in amanner similar to pulling a fitted bed sheet underneath the end of amattress. With the inner support of leg 372, flap 378 engaging an outersurface 382 of pad 358 helps keep seal member 356 from moving in a firstdirection 384 off of pad 358. And loop 370 abutting loop 366 preventsseal member 356 from moving in an opposite direction 386 off of pad 358.So flap 378, stay 360, loop 362 and loop 370 together help hold sealmember 356 to pad 358. Stays 360 can be made of spring steel,fiberglass, or any other material that provides an appropriate balanceof resilient flexibility and rigidity.

[0123]FIG. 56 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure 388 thatis quite similar to structure 354, except for a few changes. The changespermit the use of stays 390 having an extra long retaining leg 392 thatcan be tucked into an extra deep pocket or flap 394, whereby leg 392 andflap 394 stay together in a more positive manner. To do this, a loop 396is pivotally attached to a side pad 398, and a loop 400 is pivotallyattached to a seal member 402. The pivotal mounting of loops 396 and 400allow a main leg 404 of stay 390 to be temporarily rotated 90-degreesdownward so a distal end 406 of leg 392 can be slipped in underneathflap 394. Once end 406 is partially under flap 394, leg 392 can berotated back up so leg 392 is completely underneath flap 394.

[0124]FIG. 57 shows a combined dock seal and shelter structure 408 wherea first zipper 410 and a second zipper 412 removably connect a sealmember 414 to a side pad 416. Side pad 416 preferably includes a foamcore within a pliable cover 418 attached to a backer 420. Zipper 410connects an outer surface 422 of pad 416 to an outer edge 424 of sealmember 414. And zipper 412 connects an inner surface 426 of pad 416 toan intermediate point 428 of seal member 414, where intermediate point428 is between outer edge 424 and an inner edge 430 of seal member 430.

[0125]FIGS. 58 and 59 show a combined dock seal and shelter structure432 where a constrictor 434 can be used to removably connect a sealmember 436 to a side pad 438. Side pad 438 preferably includes a foamcore within a pliable cover 440 attached to a backer 442. In someembodiments, a pliable flange 444 extending from seal member 436overlaps a groove 446 in side pad 438. Tightening constrictor 434 canforce flange 444 into groove 446. Constrictor 434 is schematicallyillustrated to represent any pliable elongate member that can constrictto hold seal member 436 to side pad 438. Examples of constrictor 434include, but are not limited to, a strap, belt, cable, chain, rope,wire, cable, elastic cord, nylon cable tie, buckle, snap, hook, andvarious combinations thereof.

[0126]FIG. 60 shows a combined dock seal and shelter structure 556 wherelaces 558 are threaded through a series of holes or grommets toremovably connect a seal member 560 to a side pad 562. Side pad 562preferably includes a foam core within a pliable cover 564 attached to abacker 566. Laces 558 connect an outer surface 568 of pad 562 to anouter edge 568 of seal member 560. A similar set of laces can connect aninner surface 570 of pad 562 to an intermediate point 572 of seal member560, where intermediate point 572 is between outer edge 576 and an inneredge 574 of seal member 560.

[0127]FIG. 61 shows a combined dock seal and shelter structure 578 wherea seal member 580 is removably connected to a side pad 582. Side pad 582preferably includes a foam core within a pliable cover 584 attached to abacker 586. A first loop 588 is sewn or otherwise attached to sealmember 580, and a second loop 590 vertically offset to loop 588 isattached to side pad 582. A pin 592 extending through loops 588 and 590holds the loops together, which thus holds seal member 580 to pad 582.Structure 578 may include a plurality of first loops 588 and a pluralityof second loops 590, and the loops can be on any surface or corner ofpad 582. A top flap 594 extending between seal member 580 and a topsurface 596 of pad 582 can help support the weight of seal member 580.

[0128] Although the invention is described with reference to presentlypreferred embodiments, it should be appreciated by those skilled in theart that various modifications are well within the scope of theinvention. For example, the various members used for removably orreplaceably attaching various seal members to various side pads can bemixed, matched, and/or combined among the various embodiments of acombined seal and shelter structure. Therefore, the scope of theinvention is to be determined by reference to the claims that follow.

We claim:
 1. A combined dock seal and shelter adapted to help sealbetween a vehicle and a wall, wherein the wall defines a doorway of abuilding, the combined dock seal and shelter comprising: a side padbeing vertically elongate, being attachable to the wall adjacent to thedock opening, and having a pad width that runs horizontally and parallelto the wall when attached thereto, wherein the side pad includes acompressible foam core within a pliable cover; a seal member having anouter edge adjacent to the side pad and an inner edge adapted to engagethe vehicle, wherein the outer edge and the inner edge define a sealwidth that is greater than the pad width, and the seal member isflexible but less compressible than the compressible foam core; ananchor base attached to the side pad, wherein the anchor base is morerigid than the pliable cover and is less compressible than thecompressible foam core; and an anchor attached to the seal member andreleasably coupled to the anchor base, whereby the seal member isreleasably attached to the side pad.
 2. The combined dock seal andshelter of claim 1, wherein the anchor is a threaded fastener.
 3. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 1, wherein the anchor base isinstalled between the compressible foam core and the pliable cover. 4.The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 1, wherein the anchor basecomprises a plurality of vertically spaced apart segments.
 5. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 1, wherein the anchor basecomprises a plurality of segments that are pivotally interconnected. 6.The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 1, wherein the anchor iscoupled to the anchor base through magnetic attraction.
 7. The combineddock seal and shelter of claim 1, wherein the anchor is releasablycoupled to the anchor base by virtue of the anchor being resilientlyflexible.
 8. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 7, wherein theanchor is a strip of spring steel.
 9. The combined dock seal and shelterof claim 1, wherein an interlocking sliding connection exists betweenthe anchor and the anchor base.
 10. The combined dock seal and shelterof claim 1, wherein the anchor and the anchor base each have anextrudeable cross-section.
 11. The combined dock seal and shelter ofclaim 1, wherein the anchor is an elongate member that fits into agroove defined by the anchor base, and a portion of the seal member isheld pinched between the elongate member and the anchor base.
 12. Acombined dock seal and shelter adapted to help seal between a vehicleand a wall, wherein the wall defines a doorway of a building, thecombined dock seal and shelter comprising: a side pad that includes acompressible foam core within a pliable cover, a backer that isattachable to the wall adjacent to the dock opening, a front face thatfaces away from the backer, an outer side surface that extends betweenthe backer and the front face and faces away from the doorway when theside pad is attached to the wall, and an inner side surface that facesaway from the outer side surface and extends between the backer and thefront face; a seal member having an outer edge adjacent to the outerside surface, an inner edge adapted to engage the vehicle, and anintermediate point adjacent to the inner side surface, wherein the sealmember is flexible but less compressible than the compressible foamcore; and a plurality of releasable connectors that releasably connectthe seal member to the side pad, wherein the plurality of releasableconnectors are vertically spaced apart from each other and are disposedalong at least one of the outer side surface and the inner side surface.13. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 12, wherein theplurality of releasable connectors are disposed along at least one ofthe outer side surface and the inner side surface.
 14. The combined dockseal and shelter of claim 12, wherein the plurality of releasableconnectors are buttons.
 15. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim12, wherein the plurality of releasable connectors includes a pliableelongate member.
 16. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 12,wherein the plurality of releasable connectors extend completely throughthe side pad from the inner side surface to the outer side surface. 17.The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 12, further comprising afirst loop on the seal member, a second loop on the side pad, and a pincoupling the first loop to the second loop.
 18. The combined dock sealand shelter of claim 12, further comprising a flange connected to theseal member and overlapping at least one of the inner side surface andthe outer side surface of the side pad, wherein the backer is closer tothe plurality of releasable connectors than to the flange.
 19. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 12, wherein the plurality ofreleasable connectors includes a snap-in buckle.
 20. The combined dockseal and shelter of claim 12, wherein the plurality of releasableconnectors includes a binding buckle.
 21. The combined dock seal andshelter of claim 12, wherein the plurality of releasable connectorsincludes a hook.
 22. A combined dock seal and shelter adapted to helpseal between a vehicle and a wall, wherein the wall defines a doorway ofa building, the combined dock seal and shelter comprising: a side padthat includes a compressible foam core within a pliable cover, a backerthat is attachable to the wall adjacent to the dock opening, and a frontface that faces away from the backer, wherein the side pad defines aslit; a seal member having an outer edge adjacent to the front face, aninner edge adapted to engage the vehicle, wherein the seal member isflexible but less compressible than the compressible foam core; and aprotrusion attached to the seal member and extending into the slit tohelp hold the seal member to the side pad.
 23. The combined dock sealand shelter of claim 22, wherein the slit runs horizontally, and theprotrusion extends downward.
 24. The combined dock seal and shelter ofclaim 22, wherein the slit runs vertically and the protrusion extendssideways.
 25. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 22, whereinthe slit is one of a plurality of vertically spaced apart slits, and theprotrusion is one of a plurality of vertically spaced apart protrusions.26. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 25, further comprising aplurality of stays attached to the seal member, wherein the plurality ofstays are resiliently flexible to help support the seal member, and theplurality of vertically spaced apart protrusions are an integralextension of the plurality of stays, whereby the plurality of staysprotrude into the plurality of vertically spaced apart slits.
 27. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 22, wherein the side pad has apad height and the slit runs for most of the pad height.
 28. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 22, wherein the side padincludes a loop that defines the slit.
 29. The combined dock seal andshelter of claim 22, wherein the side pad includes a pocket and the slitis an opening of the pocket.
 30. A combined dock seal and shelteradapted to help seal between a vehicle and a wall, wherein the walldefines a doorway of a building, the combined dock seal and sheltercomprising: a side pad that includes a compressible foam core within apliable cover, a backer that is attachable to the wall adjacent to thedock opening, a front face that faces away from the backer, an outerside surface that extends between the backer and the front face andfaces away from the doorway when the side pad is attached to the wall,and an inner side surface that faces away from the outer side surfaceand extends between the backer and the front face; a seal member havingan outer edge adjacent to the outer side surface, an inner edge adaptedto engage the vehicle, and an intermediate point adjacent to the innerside surface, wherein the seal member is flexible but less compressiblethan the compressible foam core; a first zipper that runs vertically andconnects the outer edge to the outer side surface; and a second zipperthat runs vertically and connects the intermediate point to the innerside surface.
 31. A combined dock seal and shelter adapted to help sealbetween a vehicle and a wall, wherein the wall defines a doorway of abuilding, the combined dock seal and shelter comprising: a side pad thatincludes a compressible foam core within a pliable cover, a backer thatis attachable to the wall adjacent to the dock opening, a front facethat faces away from the backer, an upper surface that extends from thebacker to the front face; a seal member having an outer edge adjacent tothe front face and an inner edge adapted to engage the vehicle, whereinthe seal member is flexible but less compressible than the compressiblefoam core; and a top flap attached to the seal member and overlaying theupper surface of the side pad.
 32. The combined dock seal and shelter ofclaim 31, wherein the top flap is made of a pliable material.
 33. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 31, wherein the top flap isattached to the backer.
 34. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim31, further comprising a touch-and-hold fastener that releasablyconnects the top flap to the upper surface.
 35. The combined dock sealand shelter of claim 31, wherein the top flap engages the upper surfaceto help support the weight of the seal member.
 36. A combined dock sealand shelter adapted to help seal between a vehicle and a wall, whereinthe wall defines a doorway of a building, the combined dock seal andshelter comprising: a side pad that includes a compressible foam corewithin a pliable cover, a backer that is attachable to the wall adjacentto the dock opening and a front face that faces away from the backer; aseal member having an outer edge adjacent to the front face and an inneredge adapted to engage the vehicle, wherein the seal member is flexiblebut less compressible than the compressible foam core; a flangeextending from the seal member and overlapping the side pad; and aconstrictor overlapping the flange and wrapped in tension around theside pad to help hold the seal member to the side pad.
 37. A combineddock seal and shelter adapted to help seal between a vehicle and a wall,wherein the wall defines a doorway of a building, the combined dock sealand shelter comprising: a side pad that includes a compressible foamcore within a pliable cover, a backer that is attachable to the walladjacent to the dock opening, a front face that faces away from thebacker, an outer side surface that extends between the backer and thefront face and faces away from the doorway when the side pad is attachedto the wall, and an inner side surface that faces away from the outerside surface and extends between the backer and the front face, whereinthe side pad defines a crevice that extends into the compressible foamcore; a seal member having an outer edge adjacent to the side pad and aninner edge adapted to engage the vehicle, wherein the seal member isflexible but less compressible than the compressible foam core; and areleasable connector engaging the seal member and protruding into thecrevice, wherein the releasable connector releasably grips the side pad.38. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 37, wherein the creviceextends through the front face.
 39. The combined dock seal and shelterof claim 37, wherein the crevice extends through the inner side surface.40. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 37, wherein the creviceextends through the outer side surface.
 41. The combined dock seal andshelter of claim 37, further comprising a touch-and-hold fastenerdisposed on the releasable connector and in the crevice.
 42. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 37, further comprising a barbdisposed on the releasable connector.
 43. The combined dock seal andshelter of claim 37, wherein the pliable cover lines an interior of thecrevice.
 44. A combined dock seal and shelter adapted to help sealbetween a vehicle and a wall, wherein the wall defines a doorway of abuilding, the combined dock seal and shelter comprising: a side pad thatincludes a compressible foam core within a pliable cover, a backer thatis attachable to the wall adjacent to the dock opening, a front facethat faces away from the backer, an outer side surface that extendsbetween the backer and the front face and faces away from the doorwaywhen the side pad is attached to the wall, and an inner side surfacethat faces away from the outer side surface and extends between thebacker and the front face; a flap extending from the pliable cover andselectively overlaying the front face, wherein the flap has a pivotaledge and a distal edge such that the pivotal edge enables the distaledge to be selectively swung toward and away from the front face; a sealmember connected to the flap and having an outer edge adjacent to theflap and an inner edge adapted to engage the vehicle, wherein the sealmember is flexible but less compressible than the compressible foamcore; a first fastener releasably connecting the seal member to theflap; and a second fastener releasably holding the distal edge adjacentto the side pad.
 45. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 44,wherein the flap and the pliable cover are made of the same material.46. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 44, wherein the pivotaledge of the flap is sewn to the pliable cover.
 47. The combined dockseal and shelter of claim 44, wherein the first fastener is a threadedfastener.
 48. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 44, whereinthe flap is sandwiched between the seal member and the front face of theside pad when the second fastener is holding the distal edge adjacent tothe side pad.
 49. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 44,wherein the second fastener is a touch-and-hold fastener.
 50. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 44, wherein the second fastenerincludes a button.
 51. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim 44,wherein the second fastener includes a snap-in buckle.
 52. The combineddock seal and shelter of claim 44, wherein the second fastener isresiliently flexible.
 53. The combined dock seal and shelter of claim44, wherein the second fastener includes a binding buckle.
 54. Thecombined dock seal and shelter of claim 44, wherein the distal edge isadjacent the inner side surface of the side pad.
 55. The combined dockseal and shelter of claim 44, wherein the distal edge is adjacent theouter side surface of the side pad.
 56. A combined dock seal and shelteradapted to help seal between a vehicle and a wall, wherein the walldefines a doorway of a building, the combined dock seal and sheltercomprising: a side pad that includes a compressible foam core within apliable cover, a backer that is attachable to the wall adjacent to thedock opening, a front face that faces away from the backer, an outerside surface that extends between the backer and the front face andfaces away from the doorway when the side pad is attached to the wall,and an inner side surface that faces away from the outer side surfaceand extends between the backer and the front face; a seal member havingan outer edge adjacent to the outer side surface, an inner edge adaptedto engage the vehicle, and an intermediate point adjacent to the innerside surface, wherein the seal member is flexible but less compressiblethan the compressible foam core; and a set of laces releasablyconnecting the seal member to the side pad.